NEW DELHI: In the wake of stepped up militant activity the Indian PM recently had a brain storming session with his full council of ministers.
In a long meeting at the Prime Minister’s office, the Minister of Internal Security, Rajesh Pilot, is understood to have presented a grim picture of the situation in the Kashmir Valley. A Home Ministry note was circulated to the Council of Ministers in the meeting described as a tour de force on Kashmir situation.
The Council of Ministers also discussed a draft bill on crimination of politics from religion. The Ministers were asked to give their suggestion to this bill which seeks to remove use of religion in politics al the grassroots level by empowering the electoral officer. The Prime Minister, according to members, made it clear that he was determined to eliminate religion from elections.
By the tone and tenor of the crucial discussions on the Kashmir situation, the Government appeared to have reached the conclusion that political process was. Completely ruled out, and that it will have to seek a Constitutional amendment to ensure extension of President’s rule in Kashmir beyond September, when the five year deadline ends. A Minister on strict condition of anonymity said that the meeting was an exercise to this end.
Painting a grim scenario, Pilot is understood to have told the ministers’ bluntly that there was total collapse of authority in the Valley. The people were sandwiched between the militants and the security forces. And the economy was paralyzed.
In this context Pilot believed to have suggested that the Army play a major role in the civil administration as well.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 28, 1993
